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Aung San Suu Kyi: famous quotes

Aung San Suu Kyi arrives in Britain today (19 June) in a landmark visit that marks the first time in 24 years she has returned to the country that was once her home.

Suu Kyi will hold meetings with Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague during her four-day stay and is set to address Parliament on Thursday.

Nobel laureate Suu Kyi has dedicated her life to securing freedom and democracy for her country Burma, using non-violent means to fight against the ruling military Junta.

Famously held under house arrest for 15 years for her efforts, since her release in November 2010, Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party have stepped up their fight, and earlier this year achieved a landslide victory in a historic by-election, which she hailed as the "beginning of a new era" in Burma's politics.

Above: Aung San Suu Kyi photographed in 1991, before she was placed under house arrest in 1995

In celebration of her unwavering faith and courage, we’ve rounded up some of Aung San Suu Kyi's most inspirational quotes for a deeper insight into the motivation behind one of the world's most graceful freedom fighters…

Above: Suu Kyi following confirmation that her party the National League for Democracy won 43 out of 44 parliamentary seats

Aung San Suu Kyi's inspiring quotes

"If you're feeling helpless, help someone."

"The four basic ingredients for success are: you must have the will to want something; you must have the right kind of attitude; you must have perseverance, and then you must have wisdom. Then you combine these four and then you get to where you want to get to."

"I think more women should be involved in politics for the good of the human race."

Above: The freedom fighter is rarely seen without fresh flowers in her hair

On her female colleagues in the National League for Democracy: “Sometimes I think they are a lot more helpful than the men. They are more modest and they are more reasonable. There are lots and lots of things in which women are better – although I appreciate my male colleagues exceedingly.”

"In societies where men are truly confident of their own worth, women are not merely tolerated but valued."

Above: At her home on University Road, Rangoon. Despite being under house arrest, Suu Kyi said she still "felt free"

"You should never let your fears prevent you from doing what you know is right."

"I don't believe in people just hoping. We work for what we want. I always say that one has no right to hope without endeavour, so we work to try and bring about the situation that is necessary for the country, and we are confident that we will get to the negotiation table at one time or another."

Above: Speaking after the by-election, Suu Kyi said it wasn't about the number of seats won but that "the people participated in the democratic process"

"To view the opposition as dangerous is to misunderstand the basic concepts of democracy. To oppress the opposition is to assault the very foundation of democracy."

"I always think challenges are interesting and help you to become a better person."

On the things that make her happy: "I have learnt to be happy with small things such as for example the ability to go to bed early... I think to myself 'Ha, I’m going to bed early today', and that makes me happy."

Watch Aung San Suu Kyi's historic Reith Lecture, which was smuggled out of Burma and broadcast on the BBC in June 2011

Picture credit: Rex Features

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